With an array of online options for viewing media--not to mention the increasing amount of original content created for online audiences--video streaming services have become a disruptive influence on the traditional television business, this according to global research consultancy TNS. While consumer's preference is still television, TV sets alone are no longer enough to satisfy the appetite for content, driving the growth of online media and video streaming services.

In ReQuest(R), a quarterly study into the telecommunication behavior of over 20,000 U.S. households, TNS found that more than one-third (34%) of households have streamed video within the previous month. Yet, the majority of these streaming households also purchase traditional Subscription Video service (e.g. cable, satellite, or fiber TV) -- more than one in four (26%) watch both Pay TV and streaming, compared to just one in thirteen (8%) that only watch streaming video.

Pay TV still rules, but power is eroding

Even while the conventional model of "Pay TV Only" service still represents a majority scenario (55%), it is steadily becoming less commonplace. "The allure of streaming technology is furthering the fragmentation of the consumer video market, resulting in weaker brand affiliations, reduced customer loyalties, and higher defection risks across all video distributors," notes TNS Vice President Frank Perazzini. "Given the emerging challenges from alternative channels, the sustainability of traditional Pay TV service could be vulnerable if new pricing models offer consumers access to the content they desire at lower rates than are available today." To defend their still-dominant position, many Pay TV providers are strengthening their offers in order to stay competitive through such enhancements as TV Everywhere and a variety of mobile apps, which seek to deliver customers a user-friendly interface for multi-platform and on-demand viewing.

Changing addresses leads to a change in allegiance

The shift toward online consumption of television has been a long time coming, thanks to the dual advances in both technology and viewership. Faster internet, more content, and more devices capable of streaming high-quality video have created a larger and still-growing audience for streaming video. Yet, one other factor driving the persistent growth of consumer experimentation with and acceptance of streaming video is this simple fact--people keep moving. That is, sooner or later, we all change addresses for one reason or another, and this often affords us the opportunity (or necessity) to try new communications providers and access types.

According to the report, TNS found the prevalence of streaming behavior is both higher and growing faster among households that moved within the past year. Half (50%) of Mover households have used streaming in the past month, compared to less than a third (32%) of Non-Mover households. Furthermore, nearly one in six Movers views only streaming video, compared to just one in fourteen Non-Movers. And, among Movers, the overall penetration of streaming (50%) now exceeds the penetration of households with only traditional Pay TV service (37%) by double digits.

"Although recent Movers comprise only about 8% of all households, there could be enduring effects on household viewing behaviors over the long term," Perazzini states. "The considerably higher incidence of households that only view streaming video among Movers hints at streaming's potential to supplan--rather than merely supplement--traditional cable, satellite, and fiber video consumption." Top streaming providers like Netflix and Amazon Prime are aggressively pursuing strategies, such as innovative pricing structures and exclusive programming features, to attract existing Pay TV subscribers (commonly called cord-cutters or cord-frayers) as well as new market entrants. Although these providers' subscription volumes have not yet reached the level of industry heavyweights like Comcast or DirecTV, it is safe to say that the expansion of streaming is already transforming the fundamental nature of the consumer video experience.

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